ACLU-VA’s Statement on Prince William County Schools Board’s Decision on Non-Discrimination Policy

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Today, the Prince William County School Board voted to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the school division’s non-discrimination policy.

The following statement may be attributed to ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga:

“We applaud the Prince William County School Board for adopting a nondiscrimination policy that on its face protects all its students and employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We are deeply disappointed, however, that a majority of the Board also voted in favor of “guidance” to the Superintendent that appears to invite him to write implementing regulations that restrict the right of transgender students and employees to choose to use the bathroom that conforms with their gender identity.

“If the Superintendent were to accept the Board’s invitation and adopt any such restriction, the rule would violate the constitutional and statutory rights of Prince William students and employees who are transgender—rights the ACLU of Virginia continues to stand ready to defend.”